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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press